The launch site near Luxor in Egypt prior to a hot air balloon explosion Credit: Christopher Michel/PA Wire

Following the 2009 crash, early-morning hot air balloon flights over the Valley of the Kings on the West Bank of the Nile were suspended for six months while safety measures were tightened up.

During the break, all 42 pilots from the eight companies who operate flights had extra training.

Some of the hot air balloons operating in the area prior to the explosion Credit: Christopher Michel/PA Wire

Other initiatives to improve safety brought in included confining all take-offs to a new balloon "airport" and limiting the maximum number of balloons up at the same time to eight. Previously as many as 50 could share the air space.